Kristian Williams - Our Enemies in Blue - Police and Power in America

convention," was scheduled to coincide with it. Despite court-mediated limits onsuch activities, police-both in uniform and in civilian clothing-lurked aroundthe anarchists' meeting halls and patrol cars frequently cruised by, slowing downwhen passing a conference participant on her way in or out. Police even conductedsurveillance from a helicopter, hOYeling over the conference area while p,ue.ticipants ate a picnic lunch. Witnesses reported being followed, threatened, photographed,and questioned by police, and the cops repeatedly attempted to gainentry to the meeting space. A demonstration connected with Active Resistancewas attacked by police using horses and nightsticks and those arrested wereinterrogated about their political views, their participation in protest activity, andrelated matters. I 1(, Finally, on August 29, 1996, the confercnce space was raidedby several officers wearing uniforms but no badges. They ordered everyone tothe ground, pushing down or pepper-spraying those who refused. 'Ibey searchedconference participants' belongings, and seized papers they deemed "subversiveto the government of the United States."wWhen the Alliance to End Repression Goined by the Active Resistance organizersand others) sued to enforce the consent decree, Judge Jo